HISTORY: John Morton Inducted into The Motorsports Hall of Fame

Filed under: 240z,510,Automotive History,Events,Racing
by Alvin G @ 5:10 pm on March 17, 2026

John Morton was inducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame on March 9-10, 2026 in Daytona Beach. The official induction ceremony was held during the 38th Annual Induction Celebration Presented by Toyota Gazoo Racing. Z Car Garage was honored to attend this milestone for our hero and inspiration to motorsport enthusiasts worldwide.

From the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America:

“The ageless Morton first made headlines in the early 1970s as lead driver for 2022 MSHFA [Motorsports Hall of Fame of America] inductee Peter Brock and his BRE Datsuns, winning consecutive SCCA C Production national championships (1970, 1971) in the outfit’s 240Zs and consecutive Trans-Am Under 2.5 titles (1971, 1972) in BRE 510s, winning 12 of 19 starts. Nevertheless, Morton didn’t attract many top professional rides until the late ’80s. He won twice in 11 starts in 1987 in underpowered Group 44, Inc. Jaguar XJR-7 GTPs owned by 2018 MSHFA inductee Bob Tullius and four times in eight starts in the top-rated Electramotive Nissan GTP cars in 1988. Other noteworthy results include a stunning second overall and first in IMSA GTO at the 1979 Rolex 24 at Daytona in a Ferrari 365 GTB/4, first in Group C2 at the 1984 24 Hours of Le Mans and first overall in the 1985 L.A. Times GP in a Porsche 962. He continued winning into the 2000s. At the 50th annual SCCA Runoffs in 2013, Morton, age 71, started 13th and finished 10th despite having only a few practice sessions in the car.”

Highlights from the event included the unveiling of the John Morton display case, which will be showed for one year and the John Morton bronze portrait which will be permanently displayed in the MSHF.

Video

It was great to see John (currently 84 years of age) up on the stage giving his speech. Watch the induction ceremony with words from John and his peers in this video:

Reception Highlights

ROB: It was announced last year that John Morton would be joining the class of 2026 Motorsports Hall of Fame, alongside luminaries including Peter Brock (2022). Our client and friend Randy Jaffe also attended the event, bringing both the BRE Datsun 510 and 240Z race cars to the track and museum for display:

Highlights for me: Rusty Wallace was a one of the key speakers and I also recognized ESPN/NASCAR commentator Marty Smith. Lots of famous people were there like Nissan driver Elliot Forbes-Robinson, Kenny Roberts Sr. and Jr. both MotoJP champs when 2-strokes kind of ruled that series. It was really cool.

Mike Debbie Rogers brought their narrow-bodied Cobra which is 1 of 32 ever made and it was a real spectacle. People were freaking out, taking photos with John since considering his connection to Shelby American.

We also spotted a few Z cars at the event!

It was a blast to have drinks with Randy, Joe Cavaglieri, Steve Johnson, Charlie from Honda R&D and a bunch of awesome people. We heard amazing stories of other inductees as the MSHF not only recognizes automotive motorsports: winningest driver in Unlimited Hydroplane history Dave Villwock (Powerboats) and NHRA competition director Steve Gibbs (Drag Racing). Incredible time and we loved seeing John Morton recognized for such an amazing career.